Bangkok--22 Sep--Core & Peak Thailand Management Association (TMA) in cooperation with SIPA, NECTEC, Software Park Thailand and CITU host the press briefing to launch “Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008” to recruit the organizations and executives that can optimize the ICT systems to improve operational performance. Interested candidates can submit their applications from now until 24 October 2008. The award presentation ceremony will be held from 21 to 22 January 2009 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World. Mr.Preecha Chaochotchuang, Chairman, Thailand Management Association (TMA), revealed “Thailand Management Association in cooperate with Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) (SIPA), National Electronic and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Software Park Thailand and College of Innovation, Thammasart University (CITU) to announce Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008 Project to honor and present awards by Judging Committee to organizations and executives that can optimize ICT systems to improve their operations. This project is held for the first time in Thailand to promote and honor organizations with excellent ICT management; to hand down the know-how on appropriate ICT management and communication; and to present the trends and progresses of ICT industry in Thailand by leaders. Therefore, it will exemplifies and benefit all ICT users. Mr.Cherdsak Thawornsate, Chairman of Information Technology Management Group, Thailand Management Association (TMA) stated “This project will take place from 21 — 22 January 2009 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World including 2 main events: “Thailand ICT Management Forum,” where many professionals in ICT industry come and share experience, knowledge, ideas, and new innovation, this event consists of seminar, forum, and panel discussion from many experts in the ICT industry. Demonstration Exhibition where our sponsors display their new inventions, ideas, and latest technology.” “Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008” announcement will be hold on 22 January 2009 to recognize organizations that have embraced ICT—technologies, systems, software, or tools—in creating or developing new and practical management strategy in various fields. The award winners are chosen by Judging Committee who consists of experts and most recognized people in the ICT industry. This project expected of 300 participants including CEO, CIO from government, business and industry, businessmen, programmer, developers, software developer, public and press members would show up during the show days. Mr. Kumpol Sontanarat, Committee of Information Technology Management Group, Thailand Management Association (TMA), remarked “The award presentation can be devided into 4 categories including;1. Best ICT Leader — for excellent ICT leadership2. Project of The Year — Projects that have excellence ICT management which dividedinto 5 categories:2.1 Thai Software Innovation Project — implementation of Thai software as main component to initiate innovative development.2.2 Innovation Project — for project that promotes innovative development2.3 Knowledge Management Project — for project that promotes knowledge management2.4 Change Management Project — for project that promotes change management2.5 Information Security Project — for project that promotes information security3. Business Enabler For organizations which implement ICT to enhance business management. This award will consider projects that are integrated project or group project (two or more project) that implement ICT system or innovation in order to overcome an objective or business goal. This award divided into 4 categories:3.1 Finance & Banking Sector3.2 Government Sector3.3 Manufacturing Sector3.4 Services Sector4. Best Thai Software Development of The Year The target candidates of Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008 are public or private organizations that have excellence ICT management and outstanding business management practice or who have implemented ICT system to achieve highest goal in their organizations. Interested organizations can submit their application from now until 24 October 2008. For more information, please contact Thailand Management Association (TMA) at tel. 0-2319-7675-8 or visit TMA website at www.tma.or.th. Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, Director and Secretary, Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) (SIPA) stated “With the commitment of the Organizing Committee to realize the importance of developing software industry and as the organization with visions introduce a new dimension in Thailand's software industry development, SIPA is pleased to be part of this project and hopes that this Project would help stimulate businesses and organizations to adopt more Thai IT and software with good, modernized and standardized quality. Moreover, it would help promote and upgrade the standards of ICT management to be transparent, effective and productive for organizations in Thailand to be at par with international standards.” Ms.Suwipa Wanasathop, Director of Software Park Thailand said “The objective of Software Park Thailand for joining Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008 is to see organizations use software for management and can develop the software to use in their organizations. Those softwares can sell to other countries that is a new way that Software Park Thailand would like to support.” Associate Professor M.R. Pongsvas Svasti, Dean of College of Innovation, Thammasat University (CITU) added “As CITU focuses on the knowledge management to improve national human resources with know-how on effective technology management, we firmly believe that this Project would promote collaboration among key and active players in ICT community in Thailand to present the remarkable potential of Thai workforce in application of ICT management while encouraging and inspiring successful organizations that can be role models for other organizations to optimize the use of ICT technology.” Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008 Project is supported by IBM Thailand, Microsoft (Thailand) and Thomson Reuters. Media Contact: Parichart Suwan and Bussakorn Sonthikorn Public Relations Consultant, Core & Peak Co.,Ltd. Tel. 0-2439-4600 ต่อ 8302, 8202 Mobile Phone: 081-668-9239